THE SERIES IS ON THE DEPARTMENT’S FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES. THE PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, ONE OF THE BEST IN OUR AREA. STARTING THE NEW YEAR ON A GLOBAL STAGE. AFTER PERFORMING IN LONDON. CALEB CALIFANO HAS THAT STORY. WELL, THOSE STUDENTS ARE STILL IN THE UK TONIGHT. I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING SOUTH FLORIDA ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE. THE PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND PERFORMED THROUGH CENTRAL LONDON YESTERDAY, PERFORMING IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS DURING THE CITY’S ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE. THE PARADE WAS PHENOMENAL. WE DO A LOT OF PARADES. THIS PARADE FROM START TO FINISH, WAS JAM PACKED WITH PEOPLE. DOZENS OF STUDENTS TRAVELED OVER 4000 MILES FROM SOUTH FLORIDA. AFTER MONTHS OF FUNDRAISING THROUGH PAID PERFORMANCES AND COMMUNITY DONATIONS, SCHOOL LEADERS SAY MORE THAN $33,000 WERE RAISED, ENSURING EVERY STUDENT WHO WANTED TO PARTICIPATE COULD MAKE THE TRIP. YEAH, THE PREPARATION FROM THE MUSICAL SIDE WASN’T THAT HARD BECAUSE WE, YOU KNOW, WE PERFORM A LOT AT A HIGH LEVEL. THE FUNDRAISING WAS THE HARDEST THING FOR US. AND AND THAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING WE HAD TO DEAL WITH. THE BAND PERFORMED MUSIC FROM THEIR COMPETITION SHOW, REPRESENTING BOTH PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL AND PALM BEACH COUNTY ON A WORLDWIDE STAGE. FOR MANY OF THE SENIORS, THEY TELL ME THE CHANCE TO PERFORM INTERNATIONALLY WAS AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME. WELL, LIKE MR. VALEZ SAID, WE DID COUNTLESS PARADES, BUT THIS ONE WAS REALLY DIFFERENT. IT WAS LIKE LIKE THOUSANDS, PROBABLY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE JUST CHEERING FOR US, THE BAND DIRECTOR TELLS ME THE STUDENTS SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING LONDON, VISITING ALL THOSE HISTORICAL SIT
Palm Beach Lakes High School band performs in London’s New Year’s Day Parade
Updated: 10:35 PM EST Jan 2, 2026
The Palm Beach Lakes High School marching band performed in London’s New Year’s Day Parade, marking a significant international experience for the students after months of fundraising.Band Director Joshua Velez expressed his excitement, saying, “Yeah, the parade was phenomenal. We do a lot of parades. This parade from start to finish was jam packed with people.”Dozens of students traveled over 4,000 miles from South Florida after months of fundraising through paid performances and community donations. School leaders reported that more than $330,000 was raised, ensuring that every student who wished to participate could make the trip.Velez noted the challenges faced, stating, “Yeah, the preparation from the musical side wasn’t that hard because we, you know, we perform a lot at a high level. The fundraising was the hardest thing for us and that was the most difficult thing we had to deal with fundraising.”The band showcased music from their competition show, representing both Palm Beach Lakes High School and Palm Beach County on a worldwide stage. For many seniors, this performance was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Senior Justin Young shared his experience, saying, “Well, like Mr. Velez said, we did countless parades, but this one was really different. It was like thousands, probably millions of people out there just cheering for us about.”The band director said students spent the day exploring London, visiting historic landmarks, and enjoying the city before their return home later in the week.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —
The Palm Beach Lakes High School marching band performed in London’s New Year’s Day Parade, marking a significant international experience for the students after months of fundraising.
Band Director Joshua Velez expressed his excitement, saying, “Yeah, the parade was phenomenal. We do a lot of parades. This parade from start to finish was jam packed with people.”
Dozens of students traveled over 4,000 miles from South Florida after months of fundraising through paid performances and community donations. School leaders reported that more than $330,000 was raised, ensuring that every student who wished to participate could make the trip.
Velez noted the challenges faced, stating, “Yeah, the preparation from the musical side wasn’t that hard because we, you know, we perform a lot at a high level. The fundraising was the hardest thing for us and that was the most difficult thing we had to deal with fundraising.”
The band showcased music from their competition show, representing both Palm Beach Lakes High School and Palm Beach County on a worldwide stage. For many seniors, this performance was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Senior Justin Young shared his experience, saying, “Well, like Mr. Velez said, we did countless parades, but this one was really different. It was like thousands, probably millions of people out there just cheering for us about.”
The band director said students spent the day exploring London, visiting historic landmarks, and enjoying the city before their return home later in the week.